USPTO Patents Application 10783114

57

WHAT. IS CLAIMED IS:. '

• \". ■ 1 . An apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for.
mounting. electrohie component in. which a plurality of
5 electronic component mounting portions is provided in
multiple stripes in a transverse direction, comprising:

an unwinding device for unwindingf the film carrier
tape for mounting electronic. component in the multiple
stripes in which the individual . film carrier tapes for
10 . 'mounting electronic component previously cut and separated
into, the individual stripes are :wound upon ah: unwinding
reel, respectively;- '

an inspecting section for simultaneously, inspecting
the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component,
15 which are cut into the stripes, while causing- them to run
in parallel with each other;, and

. ..a ta.ke-up device for simultaneously taking up the
film carrier • tapes for mounting electronic component cut
into the stripes, which are inspected in the inspecting
. 20 section upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an
identical take-up shaft in parallel, respectively.

2 . An
mounting

apparatus for inspecting a film
electronic component in which a

carrier tape
plurality of

for

electronic component mounting portions is provided, in
multiple stripes in a transverse direction, comprising:
an unwinding device for unwinding the film carrier
• ' tape for mounting electronic component in the^ multiple
5 stripes in which the. individual film carrier. tapes for
mounting electronic component previously cut into the
stripes are wound upon an unwinding reel >- respectively ;

an inspecting section for simultaneously inspecting .
the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component,
10 which are cut into the. stripes, while causing .them to. run
in parallel with each other; and .

a take-up device for simultaneously taking up the
film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component cut
. into the stripes, which are inspected in . the inspecting
15 section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to
• separate .take-up shafts in parallel, . respectively

3.. An apparatus for inspecting a' film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component in which a plurality of •
20 electronic component mounting portions is provided in

multiple stripes in a transverse direction,, comprising:

an unwinding device for unwinding the film carrier
tape for mounting electronic component in the multiple
stripes which are wound upon an unwinding reel;

a slit- device for cutting-the film- carrier tapes for
mounting electronic component in the multiple stripes,-
which- are unwound from the unwinding device, into
individual film carrier tapes for " mounting electronic
component in stripes ;

; an .inspecting section for causing the film carrier '
tapes for mounting electronic component , which are - cut into
the stripes by the- slit device, to run in parallel with
each other and simultaneously .inspecting them; and .

a take-up device for simultaneously taking up the
film carrier ■ tapes for mounting electronic component cut
into the stripes, which are inspected in the inspecting
section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to an
identical take-up shaft in parallel, respectively.

4. An -apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component in which a plurality of
electronic * component mounting portions is provided in
multiple stripes. in a transverse direction, comprising:

an unwinding device for unwinding the film carrier
tape for mounting electronic component in the multiple
stripes which are wound upon an unwinding reel;

a slit device for cutting the film carrier tapes for
mounting electronic component in the. multiple stripes.

60

which are unwound from the unwinding device, into
individual film carrier tapes for mounting electronic
component . in stripes; ..

an inspecting section for causing the film carrier
5 tapes for mounting electronic cpmponent, which are cut into
the stripes. by the. slit device, to run in-parallel with-
. each other and simultaneously inspecting them; and

a take-up device for simultaneously taking up the
film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component .cut
10. . into' the stripes, which are inspected, in the inspecting
^section, upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to ;
separate take-up shafts in parallel, respectively .

.5. • .The apparatus for Inspecting a" film carrier tape for.
15 mounting electronic component according to any of claims 1
to .4, wherein the inspecting • section, includes a guide
member for causing film carrier tapes for mounting
electronic component, which are cut into stripes, to run in
parallel with each other,
20 the guide member comprising:

a side guide portion on both ends which serves
to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape
for mounting electronic component on an outermost side; and
an adjacent part guide portion, which is

61

protruded to guide adjacent side portions of the .fi-l^^ . "
carrier tapes, for mounting electronic component ' cut into "
■ the stripes between the guide portions on the bothends.

. 5 6: ' - The apparatus for .inspecting a film carrier tape..for
mounting electronic component according* to -any of claims, 1
to '5, further ..comprising a drive gear for conveying ...the
... fiimcarrier .'tapes for mounting electronic component, which
" are unwound from the unwinding device and cut into the
-10 - stripes by the slit device, while causing them" to run in
/.parallel with each other,

the drive gear including:

a both end gear mated with a sprocket hole in
' . side, portions, on both ends of the, film carrier tape for.
15 -•mounting electronic component on the outermost side; and .

. an intermediate gear mated with a sprocket hole
provided in the adjacent side portions of the film carrier
/ tape for mounting electronic component cut into the stripes
between the both end gears. .

20 ;

7. The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to claim 6, further
comprising a guide roller,

the guide roller including:

62

• a side guide protruded portion on both ends
which serves to guide both end side portions of the film
carrier tape for mounting electronic component, on the
outermost side; and
5 . an '.adjacent • part guide protruded portion

protruded to separate and guide adjacent side portions of
the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component,
cut . into , the stripeis between the side * guide " protruded. . .
portions on the both ends.

10' ■ " ■ . . : ■■- '■ ' " ■• . • ■ V •

. 8 . The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier .tape, for
^: mounting electronic component according to any of claims 1,
' 3 and 5" to 7,.. wherein a plurality of . . take-up reels, which
. are attached to the identical take-up shaft' of the take-up
15 device in parallel with each other are fixed into through
holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by.
means of removable engaging bar members.

- 9. • The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
20 mounting electronic component according to- any of claims 2
and 4 to 7,. wherein a plurality of take-up reels, which are
■ attached to the separate take-up . shafts of the take-up
device in parallel with each other, are fixed into through
holes provided in the vicinity of centers of the reels by

63

means of removable .engaging bar members, respectively-

10. The -apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for

' mounting electronic .component according to.-any -of claims 1,
..5" 3 and 5 to 8, wherein the identical take-up shaft of the. -
take-up device is .constituted" by an air shaft capable of
expanding to increase a diameter .thereof upon receipt of
supply of air, and - . "

a plurality, of take-up reels attached to the take-up
10 -shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed to each .
other . ' ' ' .

11. The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 2,

15 ' 4 to 7 and 9, wherein the separate take-up shafts of the .
•/take-up device are constituted by an air shaft capable. of
.expanding to increase a. diameter thereof upon receipt of
supply of air, and

a. plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up
20 shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed,
respectively.

12. The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 1

to -11, wherein the inspecting section includes a magnifying
lens device for magnifying the film carrier -tape for
mounting electronic, component in order to carry but an
inspection, •

.5 • the magnifying-, lens device including a magnifying

.lens for magnifying / in ' a total width direction, the film',
carrier tapes for mounting electronic component, which are
cut into the stripes and running in parallel- with each
other - "* . • - • "

10 • .. . ■- ■ ■ ■■ ■• • ■

13. . ^ The .apparatus for inspecting a film carrier, tape for
mounting . electronic* component according to any of claims 1
to .12, wherein the magnifying lens device' has a .

. magnification of 1.4. or more at an enlargement ratio - of a
15 length. * , ' "

14. The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic .component according to any of claims 1
to 13, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the

20 film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component, which
are cut into the stripes, between the unwinding device and
the inspecting section, respectively.

15. The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for

65

' mounting electronic component according to. any of claims 1
to 14, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the
film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component, which
are cut into the stripes, between the take-up device and
'5; * the inspecting' section, respectively.

16; The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 1
to 13 and 15, wherein , an identical dancer roller is "
10 . provided for the film carrier tapes for -mounting electronic
.' component, which, are cut into the . stripes, between the
unwinding device and the inspecting section. •

; 17. ' "The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier, tape for *
15 mounting electronic component according to any of claims 1
to 14 and 16, wherein an identical -dancer roller is
•provided for the film carrier tapes, for mounting electronic
component, ■ which are cut into the: stripes^ between the
take-up device and the inspecting section.

20 . .

18. The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape- for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 14
to 17, further comprising a looseness control device for
detecting a position of the dancer roller to control an

66

amount of looseness of the film carrier tape for mounting,
electronic- component.

19; The apparatus for inspecting a film carrier tape for
5 mounting electronic component; according to :claim 18 ,
•• wherein the looseness control device includes a guide '

member for separately, changing a guide path for the film
■ carrier tape- for mounting electronic ' component in each-"
.stripe, which is to be guided by the dancer roller.

20. '.A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for -
mounting; electronic component in which a plurality of
electronic component mounting portions is provided in ;
multiple stripes in. a transverse direction, comprising the
15 steps of:

unwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier
■ tape for mounting electronic component in the multiple
stripes in which the individual film carrier tapes f.or
mounting electronic component previously cut" into the
20 stripes are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively;

simultaneously Inspecting the film carrier tapes for
mounting electronic component, which are cut into the .
stripes, in an inspecting section while causing them to run
in parallel with each other; and

67

■ simultaneously taking up the film" carrier tapes. for
mounting electronic component cut into the stripes, which
are inspected in the inspecting, section/ upon a plurality
of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of
'a:take-up device in • parallel respectively . •

'21'. ..A method for inspecting a film carrier tape for
/ mounting electronic component in which a plurality of-
electronic component mounting portions is. provided in
lb multiple stripes in a transverse direction, , comprising the
. steps of : . ■ . -

unwinding, from an unwinding device, the film carrier
tape for mounting electronic component in the multiple
stripes in which the individual, film carrier tapes for • .
15 mounting • electronic component previously cut into the.
stripeis are wound upon an unwinding reel, respectively ;

simultaneously inspecting the film carrier tapes for
mounting electronic component, which are cut into the
stripes, in an inspecting section while causing- them to run
20 in parallel with each other; and .

simultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for
mounting electronic component, which are cut into, the
stripes, which are inspected in the inspecting, section,
upon a plurality of take-up reels attached to separate

68

take-up shafts of a. take-up device in parallel,
respectively.

22.' A method for inspecting- a film carrier tape for
5 mounting electronic component in which ^a plurality of
electronic component mounting portions, is pjrovided in
•multiple stripes. in a transverse direction, comprising . the

: ■ steps of: V . ' • - ■

unwinding, from an unwinding device, the- film carrier
Id. tapes for. mounting electronic component in the multiple .
' stripes which are wound, upon an unwinding reel ;

cutting the film carrier tapes for mounting*
electronic component in the multiple stripes, which are.
unwound f;rom.the unwinding, device, into, individual film
15 carrier tapes for mounting electronic component in stripes
by. a slit device;.

■ causing the film carrier tapes for mounting
electronic component, which are cut into the stripes by the
slit device, to run in parallel with each other and
20 simultaneously inspecting them in an inspecting section;
and

simultaneously taking up the film carrier tapes for
mounting electronic component cut into the stripes which
are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality

69

• . ■ of take-up reels attached to an identical take-up shaft of.
a' take-up device in parallel, respect ively .

23. . A. method': for inspecting a film carrier tape for
; . .5 mounting .electronic component in . which a plurality .of .

. electronic component, mounting portions is provided in . ■ .
multiple 'Stripes in a transverse direction, comprising the

■ steps of:- ; '

unwinding, from an unwinding device,, the .film carrier
.. 10 tape for mounting electronic- component in the • multiple
" stripes which'are wound upon an. unwinding reel;. . :.

cutting the film carrier tapes for mounting.
. electronic component in the multiple s.tripes which are
unwound from the unwinding device, into individual film
15 carrier tapes for mounting electronic component in stripes
. by a slit device;.

causing the film carrier tapes for. mounting
electronic component, which are cut into the stripes by the
slit device, to run in parallel with each other and .
20 simultaneously inspecting them in' an inspecting section;
and

simultaneously taking up the film carrier 'tapes for
mounting electronic component cut into the stripes which
are inspected in the inspecting section, upon a plurality

70

of take-up reels attached to separate take-up shafts of a
take-up device in parallel, respectively.

24, , The method, for inspecting a- film carrier tape, for
-5 * mounting electronic component : according to any of claims 20
' to 23, wherein the inspecting, section includes a guide
■member* fbr...causing film . carrier "tapes . for .mounting
"electronic component/ which are cut ihto. stripes, to run in
• .parallel with each other, * . ; .

lb . ;.. .the guide /member., comprising : .

a side guide portion on both ends which serves,
to guide both end side portions of the film carrier tape ,
for- mounting electronic component on an outermost side; and
an adjacent part guide portion, which is
•15 protruded to guide adjacent side portions of the film

-carrier tapes .for mounting electronic . component cut . into
the stripes between the guide portions on the both ends'. \ •

25. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for^
20 mounting electronic component according to any of claims 20
to 24, further comprising a drive gear for conveying the
film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component, which
are unwound from the unwinding device and cut into the
stripes. by the slit device, while causing them to run in

71

■parallel' with each other,

the drive gear including:

a both end gear mated with a sprocket hole, in:
side portions on both ends, of the film carrier tape for
5-. mounting electronic component on the outermost side; and

an intermediate gear mated with a sprocket hole.-
. ; . provided in the . adjacent side portions of the- f ilm carrier
,-.tape for mount ing electronic component cut into thei stripes
"between the both, end gears.,

10; ' ' ■■• . ■ : ' - ' ' . ' / . ■ '

26- The' method for inspecting a. film carrier tape -for "
mounting electronic component according, to claim 25,
■ further comprising a ' guide roller, .
. . ; ■ the guide roller including:

15 .a side guide • protruded portion on both ends

which serves to. guide 'both end side ' portions of the film
carrier tape for mounting electronic component on .an
outermost side; and

an adjacent part guide protruded portion
20 protruded to separate and guide adjacent side portions of -
the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component
cut into the stripes, between the side guide protruded,
portions on the both ends.

72

27 .. Th'e method for ' inspecting a' film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according • .to any of claims 20,
- 22 and 24 to 26, .wherein a plurality. of take-up reels, '
which are attached to the identical" take-up shaft of , the •
5 take-up device in parallel with each other, are fixed into
through holes provided in the vicinity of ..centers of the
■ reels by means of removable; engaging, bar members.

2Q. The method- for inspecting a film carrier tape for. ,
mounting electronic component according to any of claims- 21
and '23. to 26, wherein* a plurality of take-up reels, which .
are attached to the separate take-up shafts of the take-up
device in' parallel with each other, are fixed into- through
holes provided' in the -vicinity of centers of the reels by
means of removable engaging bar members, respectively.

29. The method for. inspecting a -film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims -20
22 and 24 to 27, wherein the identical take-up shaft of the
20 take-up" device' is constituted by an .air shaft capable of .
expanding to increase a diameter thereof upon receipt of

supply or air, and

a plurality of take-up reels attached to the take-up.
shaft in parallel with each other is thus fixed to each

10

15

73

' ■ ■ . other . ^ . , . '

• 30. . The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for
■ mounting electronic component 'according to any of claims 21,
'5. 23 to "26. and. 28, wherein the separate . take-up shafts of the
■ take-up. device, are- constituted by an air shaft, capabl.e of
expanding to increase a diameter thereof - upon receipt of.

.. supply of air, and'

: a plurality of take-up reels attached to the- take-up
10' shaft- in. parallel with each other is'-.thus fixed,
. 'respectively.' .

31. -The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for
.' mounting electronic component '. according, to any of -claims . 20
15 to 30, wherein the inspecting section includes an

illuminating device for irradiating a .light on the film
-carrier tape for mounting electronic component in order to
carry. out an . inspection,

the illuminating device having two illuminating lamps,.
20 which are provided apart from each, other and are serving to
irradiate a light on an inspecting position from rearward
and above, to be simultaneously focused with respect to the
film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component, which
are cut into the stripes and run in parallel with each

74

. other. * . " ■ . • • .

"32. The method. for inspecting a film carrier tape for-
■ mpunting electronic component" according to any of claims 20^
.5 to 31, wherein, the inspecting section includes a magnifying
lens device for magnifying the film , carrier tape for *
mounting .electronic component ■ in. order, to carry, out an •

•inspection,-. , " ;

the magnifying' lens device including a magnifying .
10 lens for magnifying, in a total width direction, the 'film ;
.carrier, tapes for mounting electronic component, which are ;
• cut into the stripes and running in . parallel with each
other.

.15 33. The method for inspecting . a. film carrier tape, for

mounting electronic component according to any of claims 20
to 32, wherein the magnifying lens device has a..
magnification of 1.4 or more, at ' an .enlargement ratio of a
length .

20-

34. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 20
to 33, wherein separate dancer rollers are provided for the
•film carrier tapes for mounting electronic component, which

75

are cut into. the stripes, between the. unwinding device . and .
.the- -.inspecting section.

35.. The method ior inspecting a film carrier tape for
5 . mounting electronic" comppnent. according to any. of claims 20
■ to 34, wherein "separate dancer rollers-, are provided for. the
film carrier tapes for mounting. electronic component, which
• are:, cut into, the stripes , • between the take-up device and \
the inspecting section.-

lo" . .-.^ ■;• ^ • , : " • \v " ' . ' • .

.36.. The method for ."inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component, according to any of claims 20"
to 33 and 35/ wherein an identical. dancer roller is
provided for the film carrier tapes for mounting electronic
15 component, which are cut- into. the stripes, between the
unwinding device and the inspecting section. . •

37. The method for inspecting a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 20
20 to 34 and 36, wherein am identical dancer roller, is

. provided for the^ film carrier tapes for mounting electronic
component, which are cut into the stripes, between the
take-up device and the inspecting section.

38. . The method for inspecting a! film carrier tape- for.
mounting electronic component according to any of claims 34
to 37, further -comprising a. looseness control device for
•detecting, a position of the dancer roller to control an .
amount- of looseness . of the film carrier tape for mounting
electronic component.. ... /

39. The method for inspecting, a film carrier tape for. .

mounting electronic component according to claim 38, .
-wherein the looseness control device includes a- guide .
member for .separately changing a guide path -for the film
carrier tape for mounting electronic component in each
stripe, which is " to. be guided by the dancer roller